Fully Updated Windows 7 and Vista ISOs: Benefits, Risks, and Safe Use

You can now grab ready-made Windows 7 and Windows Vista ISO images that already include the accumulated updates most users spent months installing after a fresh setup — a convenience that’s suddenly easier to access thanks to archived, community-curated images and Microsoft’s own refreshed installer builds becoming widely available again in public archives. These pre‑patched ISOs can drastically shorten deployment time for legacy PCs, test labs, and repair work, but they also carry important licensing, security, and compatibility trade‑offs that deserve careful attention.

Background​

Windows 7 and Windows Vista passed their official support milestones years ago: Windows 7 exited extended support on January 14, 2020, and Windows Vista reached end of extended support on April 11, 2017. That means Microsoft no longer publishes routine security updates for those releases to general customers, and many of the legacy installers no longer function seamlessly on modern hardware or update infrastructure. These end‑of‑support dates make a pre‑patched ISO a useful archive artifact for repair, compatibility testing, and offline reinstalls, because it bundles years of patches into a single image that can be installed immediately after media creation. Why does this matter now? Two trends converged:

• Microsoft and community channels have preserved or reissued refreshed Windows 7 / Vista images that include cumulative updates up to a particular baseline (for example, the 2018 Windows 7 “refresh” build), and those images have been archived and redistributed through reputable public archives.
• Community tooling (UUP Dump, builder scripts and curated archives) and modern file‑hosting make it simple to assemble or host “fully updated” AIO (all‑in‑one) ISOs that reduce post‑install patching to a minimum.

Both developments are a practical boon for technicians, but they also introduce risk: offline images can be modified, pre‑activated, or bundled with third‑party software. That makes verification and provenance essential.

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What changed — the new availability of fully updated ISOs​

Official refresh images and archived copies​

Microsoft historically released a refreshed set of Windows 7 installation media in 2018 (build family 7601, refresh revision ~24214) that already included many post‑SP1 fixes, .NET updates, and some convenience rollups. These refreshed ISOs were distributed via MSDN/volume channels and later mirrored or preserved in public archives. Community indexes and archive collections now point to those files and to community‑produced “fully updated” AIO ISOs for both Windows 7 and Vista. Important fact: these Microsoft refresh builds are distinct from third‑party AIO packs. The official refresh images came from Microsoft labs (MSDN/OEM channels) and were intended as updated baseline installers; community AIO bundles frequently combine multiple editions and add additional updates or drivers. Distinguishing the original Microsoft refresh ISO from repackaged AIOs is crucial when assessing trust and compliance.

Community “fully updated” images and archive hosting​

Independent archives and Windows ISO collections now host a range of “fully updated” ISOs: Windows 7 SP1 AIO fully updated images and Vista SP2 AIO images are available in public repositories that index Microsoft builds and community‑assembled images. These archives typically list the build revision, included updates, and sometimes checksums. The presence of an archived ISO means you can obtain a single file that includes a large cumulative update baseline, reducing the post‑install update volume.

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What these ISOs include (and what they don’t)​

• Many of the “fully updated” Windows 7 ISOs are based on the 2018 refresh (build 7601.24214) and include security rollups, .NET and IE updates up to that point. The official refresh images often already include IE11 and select .NET Framework builds.
• Vista SP2 AIO images collected by archivists typically include service pack content and a large subset of post‑SP2 patches, but not every out‑of‑band update Microsoft released historically. The scope varies by archive entry.
• Third‑party AIO packs sometimes bundle additional runtime frameworks (Visual C++ redistributables, .NET 4.x), drivers (SATA / USB3), and convenience scripts. Those extras can be beneficial — if they come from trustworthy sources — but they are also the main vector where an image may be altered beyond simply adding Microsoft updates.

If a headline promises “every possible update included,” read the fine print: most archived ISOs aim to include the broadest practical slate of official Microsoft updates up to a cutoff date, but they may exclude some obscure or OEM‑specific hotfixes and cannot reliably include future fixes after their snapshot date.

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Why many users and IT pros want these ISOs​

Short answer: speed, reliability, and offline deployment.

• Faster provisioning: a pre‑patched ISO can cut hours (or many reboots) from a typical fresh install by eliminating large chains of cumulative updates delivered via Windows Update.
• Offline installs and lab imaging: technicians building VMs or repair media benefit from an install image that doesn’t rely on online update delivery or an aging Windows Update infrastructure.
• Preservation and recovery: ISOs provide a repeatable archival artifact for troubleshooting legacy software that requires a specific OS build.

Those benefits are real, but they must be weighed against activation, driver, and update‑delivery realities on modern hardware.

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The risks — licensing, supply chain and compatibility​

Licensing and activation​

A downloaded ISO is only the installation media — it does not transfer product licensing rights. Installing Windows 7 or Vista from an ISO still requires a valid product key or a digital license that is accepted by Microsoft’s activation servers. Beware of “pre‑activated” AIO downloads and sites that advertise activation bundled with the image; those distributions are almost always pirated and carry legal and security risk.

Supply‑chain and tampering risks​

Community archives are a valuable preservation resource, but they can host both honest, verified snapshots and repackaged images that include installers or binaries from unknown sources. The safest strategy is:

• Prefer Microsoft‑issued refresh ISOs (when available) or build an updated ISO yourself from Microsoft update packages.
• If you use an archive copy, verify the file’s checksum (SHA-256 / SHA-1) and scan for malware before mounting or installing.

Driver and hardware compatibility​

Old installers typically lack modern USB 3.0, NVMe, and newer chipset drivers, which can block install media from recognizing your storage or USB media. Many archive ISOs remain genuine but will require additional steps (driver injection, use of modern imaging tools such as Rufus, or patched install.wim handling) to work on contemporary PCs.

Update delivery and serviceability​

An ISO snapshot is a static point in time. If you integrate many updates into the install image, you reduce post‑install update volume — but you also must ensure the image remains serviceable. Removing or altering servicing components (Component Store, WinRE, Windows Update agents) to make a smaller image can break the ability to apply future updates or fixes. Community “core” builds that remove servicing components are explicitly not recommended for production machines.

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How these images were produced — methods and provenance​

There are three common ways these “fully updated” ISOs are assembled:

• Microsoft refresh / lab builds deposited to MSDN/OEM: official refreshed images (for example, the Windows 7 2018 refresh) were created by Microsoft and distributed via official channels. Archivists often mirror these original ISOs.
• UUP Dump / update assembly: projects like UUP Dump gather Microsoft Unified Update Platform packages and assemble an ISO locally by downloading the original update files from Microsoft and building a consolidated image. This is a reproducible method for building an ISO that contains up‑to‑date SSU + LCU baselines and is considered safer than downloading a prebuilt, repackaged ISO from an unknown host — because you can inspect the build scripts and confirm the downloads came directly from Microsoft.
• Community AIO builders and repacks: enthusiasts produce all‑in‑one ISOs combining multiple editions, updates, drivers, and even pre‑activation tools. These are convenient but are the least trustworthy. Use caution and verify integrity if you encounter these images on forums or public download sites.

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How to obtain fully updated ISOs safely — recommended routes​

Below are three practical methods ranked from most to least trusted.

1. Microsoft official media / refresh ISOs (most trusted)​

• Check Microsoft’s download pages and enterprise channels (MSDN/VLSC) for refreshed ISOs (the 2018 Windows 7 refresh is an example). Where Microsoft still hosts official files, prefer those copies and verify checksums if Microsoft provides them. Community mirrors sometimes publish Microsoft CDN URLs for these refresh ISOs (you can validate such links by comparing published checksums).

2. Build your own ISO from Microsoft updates (UUP Dump / DISM workflow)​

• Use a trusted tool such as UUP Dump to assemble an ISO locally. The process:
• On UUP Dump pick the target build and edition, then generate the download package.
• Extract the package and run the platform script to download components directly from Microsoft and build an ISO.
• Verify the output ISO’s hash and scan for malware.

This approach gives you the highest confidence that the image contains only Microsoft files.

3. Archive or community “fully updated” ISOs (use with verification)​

• If you obtain an archive copy (for example, from an established archive index), treat it as a snapshot that must be verified:
• Check the archive listing for build numbers and included update cutoff date.
• Compute SHA‑256/SHA‑1 of the downloaded ISO and compare with any checksums provided.
• Scan the ISO with multiple anti‑malware engines before using it.
• Prefer images that explicitly document their provenance (e.g., “built from Microsoft 7601.24214 files and patched with KBxxxx through date YYYY‑MM‑DD”).

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Concrete step‑by‑step: get a fully updated Windows 7 ISO (recommended, safe method)​

• Decide whether you can use Microsoft official media. If yes, obtain the refresh ISO from Microsoft or a verified mirror and check checksums.
• If official refresh ISO is unavailable, use UUP Dump:
• Visit UUP Dump and choose the Windows 7 (or Vista) build you want to assemble.
• Generate the download package (it outputs a small ZIP containing scripts and manifests).
• Run the included script on a clean machine to download packages from Microsoft and build an ISO locally.
• Compute a SHA‑256 hash of the produced ISO (Get‑FileHash -Algorithm SHA256 path\to\iso).
• Scan the ISO and test in a VM before deploying to physical hardware.
• If you use an archive ISO:
• Confirm the image’s metadata (build number, cutoff date).
• Compare checksums if provided by the archive.
• Run malware scans and test in a VM.

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Practical deployment tips for legacy systems​

• Driver gaps: prepare USB3/NVMe drivers separately if your install media doesn’t include them. Use modern imaging tools (Rufus, Ventoy) that can write NTFS‑backed USB sticks or handle large install.wim files.
• Activation: keep original product keys or OEM recovery media. Do not rely on “pre‑activated” downloads.
• Post‑install security: even with a “fully updated” ISO, install up‑to‑date antimalware and consider isolating legacy systems from sensitive networks. Where possible, migrate to supported OS versions for devices that process sensitive data.

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What to watch for — red flags and things that are unverifiable​

• “Every possible update” claims: treat absolute language cautiously. A snapshot can include nearly all publicly released Microsoft updates up to a certain date, but every possible patch (including vendor/OEM hotfixes or extremely obscure fixes) is unlikely. Confirm the image’s update cutoff date.
• Pre‑activated or cracked AIOs: these are illegal and commonly carry modified binaries, loaders, or other persistence mechanisms. Avoid them. Examples of such bundles are commonly hosted on dubious download portals and should be considered untrusted.
• Missing servicing infrastructure: bespoke “core” or “debloated” builds that remove Windows Update/WinRE can break future servicing and are not recommended for production endpoints. Test these only in disposable VMs or constrained appliances.

If a vendor or site cannot demonstrate how an ISO was built (providing manifests, checksums, and a precise update cutoff date), flag the image as unverifiable until you can validate it locally.

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Quick reference: what to verify when you download an ISO​

• Confirm the build string and date (for Windows 7, look for build 7601 with a refresh revision such as 24214 where applicable).
• Compute and compare SHA‑256 or SHA‑1 hashes against any published values.
• Confirm the archive or image description lists the KBs or cutoff date.
• Run a multi‑engine malware scan on the ISO file before mounting.
• Test the ISO in a virtual machine before any production deployment.

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Final assessment and recommendations​

The availability of Windows 7 and Vista ISOs that bundle broad update baselines is a useful development for enthusiasts, technicians, and researchers. These images save time and simplify deployment on legacy machines, and many of the best options are obtainable via reputable archives or are reproducible using UUP‑based tooling. However, there is no substitute for careful verification:

• Prefer Microsoft‑issued refresh images when possible, or build your own ISO from Microsoft update packages (UUP Dump) to maintain provenance and security.
• Treat third‑party AIO images and pre‑activated distributions as high‑risk; avoid them for production or sensitive use.
• Verify checksums, scan for malware, and test in a VM before deploying to real hardware.

For technicians provisioning lab machines or repairing legacy hardware, a verified, updated ISO is an invaluable tool. For production or business endpoints, the conservative and supportable path remains: migrate to supported Windows editions or enroll in official extended support offerings where appropriate, and preserve an auditable, serviceable image workflow to keep systems secure and maintainable.

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This is a practical moment for anyone who maintains legacy machines: the right approach is to use the convenience of pre‑patched install media while insisting on the verification steps that separate a safe, efficient reinstall from a risky, unmanaged one.

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Source: Neowin https://www.neowin.net/news/you-can...o-images-with-every-possible-update-included/

 

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You can now grab ready-made Windows 7 and Windows Vista ISO images that already include the years of patches most users had to install after a fresh setup — a convenience that reduces post-install downtime for legacy repairs, lab builds, and offline imaging, but one that comes with important provenance, licensing, and security trade‑offs every technician must understand. 123997[/ATTACH]Background[/HEADING]
Windows 7 reached end of extended support on January 14, 2020, and Windows Vista stopped receiving security updates on April 11, 2017. That official lifecycle endpoint means Microsoft does not publish routine security fixes for those products to general customers anymore, which is why preserved and refreshed install media are now treated primarily as archival and recovery assets rather than long‑term production platforms. In practice, the two developments that make “fully updated” legacy ISOs useful today are:

• Microsoft and archive channels preserved or reissued refreshed Windows installers (notably a Windows 7 refresh baseline from 2018), and
• Community tooling and curated archives to to produce or host consolidated ISOs that integrate many cumulative updates into one image.

Both trends shorten deployment time and improve convenience — but they demand a disciplined approach to verification, licensing and compatibility.

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What changed: why these ISOs are appearing now​

Official refreshes vs. community snapshots​

Microsoft historically produced refreshed Windows 7 install media (a 2018 “refresh” is the best‑known example) that bundled many post‑SP1 fixes into the install image. Those refreshed builds were distributed via MSDN / OEM channels and later mirrored by archives. Independent archivists and community indexes have cataloged these images and made them accessible via public repositories. That is the safest route when you want an install image that’s as close to “stock Microsoft” as possible. At the same time, community builders and tools (UUP Dump, various AIO builders) can assemble “fully updated” AIO ISOs that combine multiple editions, include cumulative updates, or inject drivers and runtimes. These are convenient but may vary in provenance and content. Use caution and insist on documented manifests and hashes community image.

Why that matters today​

A pre‑patched ISO removes the long chain of reboots and cumulative update downloads that used to follow a clean install. For technicians provisioning many VMs or rebuilding older machines, the time saved can be dramatic. But the convenience is only worth it when the image’s origin and contents are verifiable — otherwise you trade hours of updates for uncertain supply‑chain risk.

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What these “fully updated” ISOs include — and what they don’t​

• Many Wed” ISOs are based on the 2018 refresh (build family 7601 with refresh revision around 24214) and include a broad slate of security rollups, .NET Framework updates, and IE11 where appropriate. Archivist listings often show included build strings and cutoff dates.
• Vista SP2 AIO collections commonly include service pack content and many post‑SP2 patches, but scope varies by archive. They rarely include every obscure OEM hotfix or niche out‑of‑band update.
• Community AIO packs sometimes bundle useful extras — Visual C++ runtimes, .NET frameworks — but those third‑party additions are the earliest point where an image may be altered from a pure Microsoft build.

Important caveat: any headline claiming “every possible update included” should be treated skeptically. A snapshot can include virtually all publicly released Microsoft updates up to a given cutoff date, but it cannot retroactively or reliably include obscure OEM hotfixes, unpublished fixes, or updates released after the image’s build date. Always confirm the image’s declared cutoff date and manifests.

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How these images are produced (three common methods)​

1) Microsoft refresh / OEM lab images (most trusted)​

These are official refreshed ISOs produced by Microsoft for redistribution to OEMs or MSDN subscribers. When available, they are generally the safest choice because they come from Microsoft’s distribution channels and can be checked against known hashes. Archivists mirror these images; choose mirrors that publish checksums and provenance metadata.

2) UUP Dump / scripted assembly (recommended for power users)​

UUP Dump is a reproducible method: it gathers Unified Update Platform packages directly from Microsoft’s update servers and assembles an ISO locally using provided scripts. Because you build the ISO on your machine from files downloaded from Microsoft, you control the provenance and can inspect the build scripts. Thihan blindly downloading repackaged ISOs — but it requires more technical work and careful verification.

3) Community AIO repacks (convenient but risky)​

Enthusiast builders sometimes produce all‑in‑one ISOs combining many editions, updates, drivers, and sometimes activation tools. These can be extremely convenient for labs or single‑use appliances, but they are the least trustworthy for production environments. If you choose a community repack, require a complete manifest, published checksums, and ideally an audit of the build scripts.
rules you must follow before using any ISO

• Always compute and confirm a strong hash (SHA‑256 preferred) of the downloaded ISO and compare it to an authoritative value if one is published.
• Example PowerShell: Get-FileHash -Path C:\downloads\windows7.iso -Algorithm SHA256
• Scan the ISO image with modern AV/anti‑malware engines before mounting or writing it to media.
• Provide a signed manifest or explicit build string (e.g., 7601.24214.xxxxx).
• If the archive doesn’t publish a checksum, treat the ISO as unverifiable and consider building your own from Microsoft sources.

Flagged warning: if an archive or download advertises “pre‑activated” or “cracked” images, avoid it. Those images almost always violate licensing and are a common vector for tampered binaries or persistent malware. Maintain legal compliance: installation media does not transfer product licensing — you still need a valid product key or digital entitlement to activate Windows.

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Step‑by‑step: safely get a fully updated Windows 7 ISO (UUP Dump method)​

• Choose the target build and edition on the UUP Dump website and generate a download package for your desired language and architecture.
• Download the generated ZIP to a clean, up‑to‑date Windows machine. The package contains scripts plus a manifest of files the script will fetch from Microsoft.
• Inspect the scripts (they arell/sh scripts). Confirm network hosts look like official Microsoft update servers. Never run uninspected binaries.
• Run the platform script in the package to download the update files and build the ISO locally. Expect the process to pull SSU and LCU baselines and integrate them into the image.
• After the ISO is produced, compute SHA‑256 and optionallycommunity‑published values. Then scan with antivirus engines. Example:
• Get-FileHash -Path .\Win7_FullyUpdated.iso -Algorithm SHA256
• Test the ISO in a VM. Confirm installation completes, network drivers function, and activation behaves as expected (it should prompt for a key or accept OEM digital entitlements).

This workflow gives you the highest confidence that the resulting ISO contains only Microsoft files, while also capturing a recent cumulative baseline to reduce post‑install patching.

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Deployment and hardware compatibility tips​

• Driver gaps: legacy installers often lack modern USB 3.0, NVMe, and newer chipset drivers. Prepare separate Inject with DISM or provide them during post‑install driver provisioning.
• USB media: modern imaging tools (Rufus, Ventoy) can write ISOs to USB with NTFS to avoid FAT32 install.wim size limits; they also support persistent multi‑ISO menus for test labs. If you must use FAT32, plan too split install.wim or use tools that handle splitting.
• Test firs image into a VM mirroring the target hardware profile to catch missing drivers, older disk controller compatibility issues, or missing recovery tools.
• Serviceability: avoid “core” or heavily stripped images on production devices. Removing WinRE, Component Store, or Windows Update components may save space but breaks future servicing and supportability.

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Licensing and legal considerations​

• Downloading an ISO does not grant a license. You still require a valititlement, or volume license to legally activate Windows.
• Pre‑activated ISOs are almost always illegal and present a material legal and security risk. They must be avoided in production and managed environments.
• For businesses, prefer volume licensing channels (VLSC, MSDN/Visual Studio subscriptions, or official OEM recovery media) for Enterprise or LTSC SKUs to ensure compliance and supportability.

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Supply‑chain threats and how to manage them​

• Tampering risk: repackaged ISOs distributed on untrusted mirrors or torrent networks can include additional binaries, backdoors, or persistence mechanisms. Always require checksums and prefer official or reproducible builds.
• Archive provenance: choose archives that publish manifests, build strings, and checksums. If an archive doesn’t provide provenance, treat the image as unverifiable.
• Minimize exposure: when reinstalling legacy systems with an archived image, minimize their access to sensitive networks until you’vprotection and verified the system baseline.

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Quick verification checklist (prior to install)​

• Confirm ISO origin: Microsoft refresh, UUP Dump build, or reputable archive?
• Confirm declared cutoff date and build string in the archive entry or manifest.
• Compute SHA‑256 and compare with a published value; if none is published, compute and record your own for future checks.
• Scan ISO with AV engines before mounting.
• Test installation in a virtual machine, including driver behavior and activation prompts.
• Keep original product key/OEM recovery credentials available.

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Practical recommendations — when to use these ISOs and when to avoid them​

Use a fully updated legacy ISO if:

• You manage repair or imaging workflows for legacy hardware that cannot migrate easily to supported Windows releases.
• You need a repeatable, offline install baseline for software compatibility testing.
• You can verify the ISO’s provenance and checksum.

Avoid community prebuilt AIOs for production if:

• The image is pre‑activated, undocumented, or lacks a published manifest and hash.
• The device stores or processes sensitive data and must comply with regulatory or audit obligations.
• You require future servicing, updates, or compatibility guarantees from Microsoft.

Wher own image from Microsoft files (UUP Dump) or obtain official Microsoft refresh media.

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Critical analysis — strengths, blind spots, and operational risk​

Strengths

• Time saved: a verified, fully updated ISO can cut hours from clean installs by eliminatingins and repeated reboots.
• Offline readiness: technicians benefit when working in constrained network environments or disconnected labs.
• Preservation: archivists preserve a known, repeatable artifact for compatibility testing and historical purposes.

Blind spots and risks

• **Absolute claievery possible update” is marketing language; images have a cutoff date and cannot include future or vendor‑specific hotfixes. Treat absolute phrasing as unverifiable unless a precise manifest is published.
• Supply chain exposure: repackaged images can be trojanized; rely on manifests, checksums, and reproducible build methods.
• Serviceability loss: heavily modified or core images that remove servicing components are not recommended for production because future updates and fixes may not apply.

Operational takeaway: these images are powerful tools for repair, recovery and lab use — but they must be treated with the same operational rigor you apply to any production image: documented provenance, cryptographic verification, AV scanning, and a staged testing process.

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Conclusion​

The re‑appearance and curation of fully updated Windows 7 and Vista ISOs is good news for technicians, archivists, and hobbyists who need fast, offline, repeatable installation media for legacy systems. When sourced from Microsoft refresh images or built reproducibly with tools like UUP Dump, these ISOs significantly cut rebuild time and simplify offline imaging workflows. However, the convenience comes with responsibilities: verify provenance, insist on published manifests and hashes, avoid pre‑activated or opaque AIO repacks for production, and prepare for driver and activation realities on modern hardware. Treat “every possible update” claims as a prompt to demand exact cutoff dates and manifests; where such assurance is missing, build the image yourself or choose a different recovery strategy.

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Source: Neowin [url]https://www.neowin.net/amp/you-can-now-download-windows-7-and-vista-iso-images-with-every-possible-update-included/